Making the asphalt paving process explicit - A fundamental step for quality improvement

The objective of the paper is to make explicit the paving operations, the related asphalt temperature and density data, and the logistic process, as a fundamental step to identify improvement opportunities. For that, temperature data, roller compactor trajectories, asphalt density, paver speed, and trucks logistics, were collected. The results, analysis, and feedback received, point to specific opportunities for improvement, including avoiding the paver start-stop cycles, uniform compaction of the entire pavement surface, and definition of roller compaction strategy.

Effect of Hybrid Modification and Type of Compaction on the Cracking Properties of Asphalt Concrete

This paper focused on evaluating the effect of aggregate gradation and polymer modification on indirect tensile strength (ITS) and the static stiffness for hot asphalt mixtures. In particular, data from ITS tests have been processed to obtain stiffness measurements through the application of Hondros theory. The results showed that fine mixtures had a better tensile strength by 26.3% than the coarse mixtures. The effect of compaction also was examined, the results showed that samples compacted with the Superpave gyratory compactor (SGC) had an enhancement in ITS by 36.58 and 23.1% in comparison with Marshall and roller compactor respectively. Polymer modifiers were used to estimate their effect on tensile strength, adding 4, 6, and 8% of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS), which can rise the ITS by 3.2,6.14 and 13.3% of the non-modified asphalt mixture. Furthermore, using 4, 6, and 8 percent of SBS could increase static stiffness by 53.9, 209.6, and 302.4% respectively for roller compacted fine mixes and 58, 220, and 379.3% for SGC compacted mixes. Furthermore, SBS raised the stiffness modulus by 52.3, 188, and 295% for Marshall compacted mixes. Using hybrid modifier can improve the stiffness of the asphalt mixture. However, The results indicate that using 1, 2 and 3% polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can magnify the stiffness of mixtures by 41.2, 199.8% and 262.6 for roller compacted mixtures and 133.4, 212.1 and 354% for SGC compacted mixtures, whereas there is a stringent increasing by 133.4, 189.2 and 354% for Marshall compacted mixes. Otherwise, polymer-modification can decrease the fracturing index for coarse and fine mixtures.

A New Perspective of Multiple Roller Compaction of Microcrystalline Cellulose for Overcoming Re-Compression Drawbacks in Tableting Processing

In this paper, new scientific insights in relation to the re-compaction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; Avicel®® PH-101) under specific compaction conditions are reported. MCC was subjected to multiple compaction cycles (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) under high compaction pressures, up to 20,000 kPa, using a roller compactor of 100 kg/h capacity. Initially, granules from the 1st and 2nd compaction cycles produced tablets with lower crushing strength compared to those made from the original non-compacted MCC. Tablet weakness was found to be correlated to the generation of a higher intra-granular pore size (diameter) and hence higher tablet porosity compared to that of the original MCC particles. Using Kawakita and Heckel compression analyses, it is suggested that such behavior is attributed to the formation of harder granules of re-compressed powder with a larger diameter than non-compacted MCC particles. Moreover, these granules resulted in a reduction in powder bed volume after the powders were subjected to the 1st and 2nd compaction cycles. Surprisingly, granules resulting from the 3rd compaction cycle produced tablets displaying a higher crushing force than non-compacted MCC. Results from compression analysis indicated a reduction in both the intra-granular pore size (diameter) and in tablet porosity of Avicel PH-101-3rd compaction cycle compared to that of the original non-compacted MCC. It is concluded that intense compression causes shedding of one or more layer from MCC fibers exposing new surfaces with strong binding ability. The foregoing results infer that intensified roller compaction can be employed to improve MCC powder compactibility without any deleterious effects on compact strength.

Laboratory Methods for Assessing the Influence of Improper Asphalt Mix Compaction on Its Performance

Compaction index is one of the most important technological parameters during asphalt pavement construction which may be negatively affected by wrong asphalt paving machine set, weather conditions, or the mix temperature. Presented laboratory study analyzes the asphalt mix properties in case of inappropriate compaction. The reference mix was designed for AC 11 S wearing layer (asphalt concrete for wearing layer with maximum grading of 11 mm). Asphalt mix samples used in the tests were prepared using Marshall device with the compaction energy of 2 × 20, 2 × 35, 2 × 50, and 2 × 75 blows as well as in a roller compactor where the slabs were compacted to various heights: 69.3 mm (+10% of nominal height), 66.2 mm (+5%), 63 mm (nominal), and 59.9 mm (−5%) which resulted in different compaction indexes. Afterwards the samples were cored from the slabs. Both Marshall samples and cores were tested for air void content, stiffness modulus in three temperatures, indirect tensile strength, and resistance to water and frost indicated by ITSR value. It was found that either insufficient or excessive level of compaction can cause negative effect on the road surface performance.

Experimental Assessment of Dust Emissions on Compacted Soils Degraded by Traffic

Haul traffic on earthworks runways during construction works is an important factor of dust emission. Compacted soils surface become progressively degraded as the number of wheels passing increases. Fine particles are then segregated from the soil surface and lifted when the shear stress generated by the flow above the surface increases, leading to the worsening of air quality and reduction of visibility. Laboratory tests were performed to assess dust emissions on traffic degraded soils. Mixtures of kaolin clay and sand were compacted using a laboratory roller compactor and were degraded using a vehicle simulator. Models describing the evolutions of soil degradation and Particle Size Distribution (PSD) during traffic were established. Then, the velocity profiles above each soil sample were obtained in a wind tunnel. The experimental results were analyzed to determine the Reynolds shear stresses generated by the turbulence of the flow. PSD, degradation and stresses were implemented in the Convective Turbulent Dust Emission (CTDE) model to estimate the dust emission flux of the soils for several passes of the wheel. A comparison between results from the model and field measurements underlines that turbulence is not the main contributor to dust emissions when a vehicle is in motion.